Pensions guides
Everything on UK pensions — tax relief, contributions, the State Pension and planning the income you retire on.
Why Pensioners Are Getting Surprise HMRC Tax Bills in 2026
Rising State Pension, a frozen £12,570 allowance and higher savings rates mean many retirees now owe tax. Why it happens and what to do.
TaxFly Admin · 26 Jun 2026
State Pension Top-Up: Is Buying Back Missing National Insurance Years Worth It? (2026)
A 2026 guide to buying back missing National Insurance years: how the new State Pension works, how to check your NI record and forecast, voluntary Class 3 and Class 2 contributions, the break-even concept, deadlines, and when a top-up is not worth it.
Laura Michelle Davis · 5 Jun 2026
Pension Tax-Free Lump Sum: How the 25% Rule Works (2026/27)
You can normally take 25% of your pension as a tax-free lump sum, capped at £268,275. Here is exactly how the rule works in 2026/27, with a worked example, the tax on the rest, and the mistakes that cost people money.
Laura Michelle Davis · 14 May 2026
Pension Salary Sacrifice: How It Works and How Much You Save
Pension salary sacrifice swaps part of your gross pay for an employer pension contribution, cutting both income tax and National Insurance. Here is exactly how it works, a worked example, and the traps to avoid.
Laura Michelle Davis · 13 May 2026
Pension Drawdown Explained: Income, Tax and Risks (2026/27)
A plain-English guide to pension drawdown: how flexi-access drawdown works, the 25% tax-free element, how withdrawals are taxed at your marginal rate, the MPAA trap, and how drawdown compares with an annuity.
Laura Michelle Davis · 12 May 2026
How Pensions Work in the UK: A Complete Beginner's Guide
A plain-English guide to how pensions work in the UK: the State Pension, workplace and personal pensions, how tax relief and employer contributions boost your savings, and the common mistakes that cost beginners money.
Laura Michelle Davis · 6 May 2026
Pension Tax Relief Explained: How to Get Up to 45% Back (2026/27)
Understand pension tax relief for 2026/27: how relief works at 20%, 40% and 45%, the Annual Allowance, carry forward and how to claim the extra you are owed.
Laura Michelle Davis · 13 Apr 2026